District Attorney General David Clark: Oak Ridge Anderson crime down

Crime in Anderson County and Oak Ridge continues to drop, according to District Attorney General David Clark and statistics from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations.

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By Donna Smith

Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN

By Donna Smith

Posted Apr. 30, 2013 at 5:41 PM
Updated Apr 30, 2013 at 5:47 PM

By Donna Smith

Posted Apr. 30, 2013 at 5:41 PM
Updated Apr 30, 2013 at 5:47 PM

Clinton, Tenn.

Crime in Anderson County and Oak Ridge continues to drop, according to District Attorney General David Clark and statistics from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations.

In a press release issued Monday, Clark stated that crime was down by 10.5 percent in Anderson County for 2012 compared with 2011.

"The news in Oak Ridge is even better, where crime was down by 11.5 percent in 2012," the DA said.

Clark stated that this makes the sixth straight year that the incidents of crime has dropped in Anderson County.

"Crime is down by 27.5 percent over the last six years," he stated. "These results come from considerable planning and the deliberate effort of many people.

"The law enforcement community is grateful for the support we receive from our citizens," Clark continued. "It really can make a dramatic difference in what can be achieved. While we are proud of the accomplishments so far, we are not satisfied. More progress in fighting crime is needed. The drug problem and associated crimes that plague many communities are a particular challenge. We expect to continue to work together to make Anderson County a better and safer place to live and work."

Clark stated in the release: "For those involved in the important job of commercial and industrial recruitment, this should be welcome news.

"Hopefully, employers will get the message that Anderson County is not only a good place to live and work — but is becoming a safe community in which to locate good jobs."

Crime-related statistics for the Seventh Judicial District — compiled from the TBI, Anderson County Sheriff's Office and county Circuit Court Clerk's Office — show that:

However, the average daily jail population increased over those years, as did the number of grand jury indictments. The number of cases in General Sessions Court I in Clinton increased slightly, while the number of cases in General Sessions Court II in Oak Ridge dropped slightly.

The specific statistics:

• The county jail population increased from an average of 165.6 in 2006 to 321 in 2012.

• Indictments increased from 356 in 2006 to 680 in 2012.

• General Sessions I (Clinton) cases increased from 3,320 in 2006 to 3,351 in 2012.

• General Sessions II (Oak Ridge) cases dropped from 3,733 in 2006 to 3,681 in 2012.

The TBI statistics for 2012 showed crime was down across the state by 2.8 percent. The number of murders in Tennessee increased by about 1.5 percent in 2012, to 390 over the previous year.